SolaTubes for reef tanks
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
8BALL_99
New member
I was told I couldn't get Non LoE glass on a Velux skylight. How big of a deal is that? The dealer called Velux and asked.. I was standing there when he did. I just called and they told me they couldn't do it with out the LoE coating but they could do it without the Argon insulation. He said the Argon is what blocks most of the Uv and alot of the light.. But I'm guessing no insulation would be bad lol
Reefski's
Active member
mine doesn't leak and neither do any of the other seven on my house or any of the many we have installed. not a one. i have no snow in my neighborhood though.
there are different grades of plastic used in skylights. some only last a few years before they start to crack.
i get mine from lane-aire.com that uses a better grade than you can get a HD.
what is going on the walls of the shaft?
i don't think they are ugly.
there are different grades of plastic used in skylights. some only last a few years before they start to crack.
i get mine from lane-aire.com that uses a better grade than you can get a HD.
what is going on the walls of the shaft?
i don't think they are ugly.
8BALL_99
New member
Well I figured I'd line it same as you did yours. But I haven't really got into that yet since I dont have a skylight. So I'm not even sure of the size yet.. The attic space between the roof is only a couple of feet so the light doesnt have far to go. I figured it would be better to get a skylight a little smaller then the tank and have the shaft flare out. Not much. I figured a skylight around 22x56" to 68" would be good. My light shaft will be a little smaller then the tank cause I want my canopy to lift like it does now.. So when I raise the canopy it will over lap the light shaft. Hope that makes since..My red house links to pictures of my current tank. Again my new tank will be 72"36"25" Its already getting built and I should have it in about a month from miracles
I'm also scared of the Acrylic turning yellow or getting that frosted look. I guess it could just be the Acrylic. But every older one I've seen always looked bad. I know I've seen Acrylic tanks that have been left outside for a couple of years and they are far from clear
I'm also scared of the Acrylic turning yellow or getting that frosted look. I guess it could just be the Acrylic. But every older one I've seen always looked bad. I know I've seen Acrylic tanks that have been left outside for a couple of years and they are far from clear
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Something isnt right... unless they have changed their supply in the past 2 years, maybe the person on the Velux end didnt know what they were talking about? There are several reasons why a person might want to skip the LoE coating besides a reef tank (like if you wanted a solarium or greenhouse... LoE absorbs portions of IR as well). I would call on my own and try to talk with someone.
That argument about the Argon blocking UV is also completely false, and ironic because its the exact opposite. Argon is a conductive insulator that goes in between the sheets of glass... has nothing to do with blocking UV or any light. Many phosphor based bulbs, including UV bulbs, are in fact filled with argon. An Argon Laser in fact, is used to generate UV, and Argon is being looked at for the next generation of microchips in the deep UV lithography process. Based on that info, I think you just got the wrong person on the Velux side... I would try again. If you get a negative response again, tell them you know someone who got them w/o LoE. I can try them tomorrow myself if you like... to get to the bottom of this mess.
As long as you still have the insulating glass, the fact that it may or may not have argon is minor. If anything, yes, not having LoE could be considering it a 'lesser window' in some cases, but your tank itself is being used as a thermal battery in that respect (as is the idea behing a solarium or other 'green solar spaces'). The water, soil, plants, or even ceramic tile and brick absorb the heat and act as the LoE inside the home anyways. Many of those prarie style homes, or ones with south facing solariums, are designed to work without LoE glass because the whole idea is to let the IR and UV through... and the house itself acts like the LoE, or even better. Those homes that use a large central sunroom, a brick wall, and ceramic tile floors to trap the heat would not function as normal with LoE panels.
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8BALL_99
New member
I hope that's the case. Cause right now I'm very interested in either a FS 108 or a FS 112. If I could get it with out the LoE coating it would be a done deal. I might try to call them again in just a little while and see if I get a different person on the phone. As far as the Argon goes.. I figured if it didn't effect the light that much it would be good to have..I thought it was only for insulation. But the way the guy talked it was what blocked the UV.. My local Dealers were no help at all. One didnt' even have any paper work on them. He just asked which one I wanted. Ugh Nither place installed them either.. So even if I wanted to have it installed I couldn't go through the dealer..
8BALL_99
New member
Of what? I dont have my new tank yet
Good news. Well I guess I shouldn't say its good news till its done.. But I called them back and got a different person this time. Told them the Deal and what I wanted. After a few mins of her looking she said yeah we can do that.. You want Tempered glass clear glass with out the LoE coating right. I asked if she had a product code or something I could tell the next person I have to talk to when I go to homedepot to order.. She gave me the number 0048 and said I could get either FS 108 or 112 that way.. So we shall see what Homedepot says this time lol.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Good deal... told ya! :smokin:
Yeah, if you get all the product codes from Velux, then HD can just type it up after they get a quote on the cost because its not in their regular catalog.
Glad to hear this time around you got a positive response... it almost makes me wonder if the 'other guy' you saw wasnt calling his own connection/distributor rather than Velux directly.
Sorry, but most places, not even HD, will put them in for you. Skylights often require some structural reworking, and in many areas this requires a contractor's liscence and pulling a permit. This is beyond the scope of the normal installation program, not to mention the insurance that the installers have at HD. A general contractor is the best bet. OR, they also sell those QFS brand ones that are designed with a huge flange around them to be DIY-friendly and leak-proof (I think the regular ones are easy enough, but I know, Im not everyone).
Yeah, if you get all the product codes from Velux, then HD can just type it up after they get a quote on the cost because its not in their regular catalog.
Glad to hear this time around you got a positive response... it almost makes me wonder if the 'other guy' you saw wasnt calling his own connection/distributor rather than Velux directly.
Sorry, but most places, not even HD, will put them in for you. Skylights often require some structural reworking, and in many areas this requires a contractor's liscence and pulling a permit. This is beyond the scope of the normal installation program, not to mention the insurance that the installers have at HD. A general contractor is the best bet. OR, they also sell those QFS brand ones that are designed with a huge flange around them to be DIY-friendly and leak-proof (I think the regular ones are easy enough, but I know, Im not everyone).
Reefski's
Active member
my system is new and my house is much larger now. i haven't even gotten the first bill and have nothing to compare to because of the new house. of course it will save us a ton of money though. yesterday the system made 60 Kw that i did not have to buy from DWP and also saved putting CO2 into the atmosphere.
even if it takes ten years to pay for itself after that it is FREE and i think the breakeven point will be much sooner. in ten years the price of electricity will be much more than it is today thereby shortening the breakeven point.
check out www.pickensplan.com
he seems to be doing something positive for the planet and the US as well. i wish i had money to invest.
even if it takes ten years to pay for itself after that it is FREE and i think the breakeven point will be much sooner. in ten years the price of electricity will be much more than it is today thereby shortening the breakeven point.
check out www.pickensplan.com
he seems to be doing something positive for the planet and the US as well. i wish i had money to invest.
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hahnmeister
In Memoriam
60kW??? Do you mean 60 kwh?
I did it here are a few shots of my solar tube.. my tank is currently torn down due to a seam leak but is being rebuilt but you can get the idea
this is the light over the tank
this is the tank. it lights the entire tank much better than this pic shows
this is the dome on the roof
This thing is wayyyy brighter than my two 250w MH ever were!
this is the light over the tank
this is the tank. it lights the entire tank much better than this pic shows
this is the dome on the roof
This thing is wayyyy brighter than my two 250w MH ever were!
